MICHELIN Guide San Francisco 2011 Launch Party – Diner en Rouge

On a recent mid-October evening, San Francisco sparkled with the brightest of stars as Michelin presented their Diner en Rouge soiree at the Clift Hotel’s Spanish Suite. The event was held in conjunction with the morning star announcements of the San Francisco Bay Area and Wine Country red guide. Accompanying Michelin Guide Director Jean-Luc Naret and Michelin Guide, North America COO Parmeet Grover were a packed house of the most notable Bay Area and Wine Country culinary luminaries.

World renowned Michelin three-star chef Thomas Keller of The French Laundry celebrated his continuance in the highly coveted three-star realm. And just earlier that day, he was joined by fellow Wine Country chef Christopher Kostow for the newly triple-starred Meadowood, The Restaurant. Kostow is only the second American-born chef to receive these highest of honors after Keller.

Mika Takeuchi, Jean-Luc Naret, Laura Cunningham, Thomas Keller

Daniel Patterson, Mark Dommen, Larry Bouchard

The Philippe Starck designed space set the stage for a gathering of camaraderie and celebration. Despite it falling on a work night, it was a welcome change of scenery watching these meticulous, assiduous kitchen superstars out of their chef’s coats and enjoying a social cocktail, select local wines, and well-prepared bites with industry friends.

Mourad Lahlou and Louis Maldonado

Thomas McNaughton, Roland Passot

Shirley Fong-Torres, Narsai David

The Trois Etoiles cocktail with Champagne, Cognac, St-Germain, and Lemon proved a crowd favorite. Whether it was the drink’s tempting ingredients which warranted an encore visit to the bar, or the fact that it was an opportunity to delight in your own Trois Etoiles (Three Stars) at a Michelin Guide event, either way Michelin’s Diner en Rouge was an exceptional evening, worth a special journey.